Apparatus for accumulating elongated members in parallel relation in a pile



p 25, 1962 E c. HERBKERSMAN 3 055,515

APPARATUS Foiz ACCUMULATING ELONGATED MEMBERS IN PARALLEL RELATION IN A FILE Filed Aug. 11, 1960 A 3 SheetsSheet 1 fill, ATTORNEY Sept. 25, 1962 E. c. HERBKERSMAN 3,055,515 APPARATUS FOR ACCUMULATING ELONGATED MEMBERS Filed Aug. 11, 1960 I IN PARALLEL RELATION IN A FILE 3 Sheets-$het 2 INVENTOR. 542;:(7 HE/FfikEPSMAN @Arrae/vf E. C. HERBKERSMAN APPARATUS FOR ACCUMULATING EL Sept. 25, 1962 3,055,515 ONGATED MEMBERS IN PARALLEL RELATION IN A FILE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 11, 1960 2% ATTORl/EY.

Zia/emf. HIRE/(EESMAN United States Patent 9 APPARATUS FOR ACCUMULATING ELONGATED MEMBERS IN PARALLEL RELATION IN A PILE Earle C. Herbkersman, Parma, Ohio, assignor to The Pipe Machinery Company, Wicklifie, Ohio, :1 corporation of Ohio Filed Aug. 11, 1960, Ser. No. 48,899 6 Claims. (Cl. 214-6) This invention relates to an apparatus for accumulating a number of elongated members in a pile in parallel relation to each other and supporting them in the pile temporarily so that they can readily be removed as a group or banded into a package.

More particularly the invention relates to a movable support onto which such elongated members can be fed from a skid transversely of their length to form a pile and which is so arranged that it is lowered by the weight of the accumulating pile while yieldably resisted in a manner such that the uppermost one of the members, at each instant of feeding an additional member onto the pile, is positioned near to the level of the discharge edge of the skid down which the additional member is moved for discharge onto the pile.

More specifically, the invention relates to a flexible cradling device for receiving successive pipes, rods, and like elongated round stock as they roll down a discharge skid or ramp and fall oif the edge thereof, and for cradling them as received into a pile in which they are disposed parallel to each other. The cradling supports of the device are in the form of flexible bands, such as cables, ropes, chains, and the like, which are held initially near the level of the discharge edge of the ramp. They are payed out against increasing resistance so as to lower the already supported pipes successively as each successive pipe is added and the weight of the pile thereby increased. The downward movement is caused by the weight of the load itself and progressively increases as more pipes are successively added. The resistance to lowering of the load is concurrently progressively increased automatically as successive pipes are added and the cradles are thereby caused to lower, so that the downward movement is successively arrested, after each pipe is added, so as to maintain the top of the pile adjacent to the level of the discharge edge of the skid.

Further, the invention resides specifically in a number of flexible bands arranged in a row transversely of their length and held taut near the level of the discharge edge of a discharge ramp so that pipes and rods rolling down the ramp can roll onto the bands initially near the level of the edge of the ramp. The bands can be payed out gradually by and in accordance with the load imposed thereon by means which gradually increase the resisting force resisting their lowering so that at all times the top of the cradles pile is near the level of the discharge edge of the ramp or skid.

Various objectsand advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description wherein reference is made to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an apparatus embodying the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the structure illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 and is taken on line 33 thereof, part thereof being shown in elevation for clearness in illustration; I

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of a portion of the apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevation, part thereof being shown in section, of part of the apparatus Patented Sept. 25, 1962 2 illustrated in FIG. 1 and is taken as indicated by the lines 55 therein; and

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view of a portion of the apparatus illustrating a modified yieldable resistance means for the support.

For the purposes of illustration, the invention is shown in connection with a machine for machining the ends of pipes or rods, and a transfer rack for transferring the finished pipes or rods from the machining station to a discharge skid or ramp down which they roll laterally of their length and pass off of the discharge edge onto an accumulating support.

Heretofore, the upper supporting surface of such supports has been arranged below the level of the discharge edge of the skid a distance determined upon the height of the final pile desired. As a result, the supporting surface is often such a distance below the edge of the ramp that the first few to be piled drop far enough transversely of their length onto the pile or support to be warped, bent, or otherwise damaged by the resultant impact.

In accordance with the present invention, the supporting surface of the support is initially substantially at the discharge edge of'the ramp so that the pipes can roll thereonto without dropping any appreciable distance. It slopes downwardly away from the ramp in the direction of rolling so that the already received pipes can roll out of the way of the next successive pipes received. It gradually lowers the already piled pipes in accordance with the weight of those being successively received on the pile so that the upper surface of the pile is at all times close to the level of the discharge edge of the ramp.

As mentioned, the apparatus is shown in connection with a pipe machine M and planetary transfer mechanism including a plurality of transfer racks T. The racks T are arranged to pick up pipes successively, at this machining station, transfer them step at a time transversely of their length, and deposit them on a suitable discharge ramp or skid 1. The transfer mechanism and skid may be one such as disclosed in US. Letters Patent No. 2,923,952, issued Feb. 9, 1960.

The skid 1 slopes downwardly slightly in a direction away from the transfer mechanism so that successive pipes can roll downwardly, to the left in FIG. 3, and off of the ramp at the discharge edge 2. At the discharge side of the ramp is a frame 3 comprising suitable rigid upright members 4 and 5 which are spaced apart from each other in the direction in which the pipes roll.

In order to provide a movable support which spans the space between the upright supports 4 and 5 and which is disposed initially at a level close to that of the discharge edge 2 of the ramp, 2. number of flexible elements 10 are provided. The elements 10, which may be cables, chains, ropes, straps, bands and the like, are arranged on suitable pulleys or sheaves 11 and v12 mounted on the upright members 4 and 5, respectively, with their axes extending generally endwise of the frame 3 and parallel to the axis of the pipes. In the form illustrated the elements 10 are flexible cables.

In their normal unloaded condition, the cables 10 are maintained taut in a position in which they extend across the space between the members 4 and 5 substantially at the level of the edge 2 and the upper peripheries of the sheaves 1'1 and 12. As pipes are piled onto them, they are payed out so as to provide agradually lowering cradle.

In the form illustrated, a plurality of cables 10, all of which are similarly mounted, are spaced apart transversely of their length endwise of the pipes 50 that the pipes received thereon are engaged and supported thereby at a plurality of spaced locations along the length of the pipes.

For maintaining the tension on the cables 10, each cable is connected at one end 13 in substantially fixed position on the upright member 4-. If desired, a turnbuckle 14 may be provided for adjusting the unloaded tension.

Each cable passes over its sheave 11 and thence over its sheave 12 and thence extends downwardly to a level which will be near or below the under surface of the pile when the cradle is filled with pipe. At this lower level, each cable passes around a sheave 15, the axis of which extends transversely of the frame. The sheave 15 thus leads the cable longitudinally of the frame. All of the cables are led toward one end of the frame at which end they are connected to a common slide 16 which is slidable on suitable guideways 17 carried on and extending longitudinally of, the frame.

The slide 16, in turn, is connected to the piston rod 1 8 of a piston 19 which is reciprocable in a fluid pressure cylinder 20 of a piston and cylinder assemblage, indicated generally at 21. The assemblage 21 is so arranged as to urge the slide in a direction to eliminate the slack in the cables 10 and yieldably resist the paying out of the cables as the cradle is lowered by the Weight of the load imposed on the cables.

For this purpose, the single assemblage 21 is shown but, if desired, a number of different sized assemblages can be connected to the same slide so that, depending on the weight of the individual pipes being piled, one or more assemblages can be rendered operative concurrently or selectively.

Preferably the cylinder 20 is of the pneumatic type and so arranged that pressure at the rod end of the piston resists the movement of the slide 16 in the direction for paying out of the cables 10. Likewise, the cylinder 20 is arranged so that the air is not vented from the rod end of the cylinder during the pay out. As the load on the cradle increases, the piston 19 is moved thereby toward the rod end of the cylinder 20. This causes the air between the rod end of the cylinder and rod face of the piston to be compressed increasingly in proportion as the piston approaches more closely the rod end of the cylinder. As a result, the pressure resisting lowering of the cables by the load as the load increases also increases. It is desirable that the cables pay out in successive spaced intervals as successive pipes are received thereon, and not continuously. This is so that the already piled pipes are lowered just enough to dispose the level of the pile near the ramp level and then are stopped and held in such position awaiting the next pipe.

It is apparent, however, that a piston of the proper diameter for one load or one size or weight of pipe might not be suitable for effecting these successive starts and stops for all sizes and weights of pipe. Accordingly, in such cases wherein the size and weights to be handled may vary widely, a number of corresponding pistons and cylinder assemblages may be used, and all may connect to the same slide 16 so that the desired one or combination for the particular size and weight of pipe can be chosen for supplying exactly the resistance required for paying out the cables so that the level of the stack is at all times adjacent the level of the discharge edge of the ramp. For greater adaptability, the assemblies may be of different diameters.

Assuming an air cylinder is to be used, the air cylinder is preferably connected at its head end to the main air pressure supply line 25 of the plant in which the apparatus is installed. This supply line leads from a pressure source through a suitable valve 26 and a feed line 27 to the rod end of the cylinder 20. A suitable pressure gauge 28 and a manual gauge release valve 29 are provided for indicating pressures and for servicing purposes.

Interposed in the line 27 between the air pressure source S and the rod end of the cylinder 20 is a check valve 30. The valve 30 is arranged to open to permit air to flow from the source into the rod end of the cylinder 20 and to permit the return thereof to the line from the cylinder. The reason for this arrangement is that the pressure normally supplied from the source for general shop purposes is constant and also less than that required for resisting the load on the cables 10 as the load increases. For example, the air source in a plant may be from 60 to 100 pounds per square inch, whereas pressure up to 200 pounds per square inch is required in the cylinder 26 when the cradle is fully loaded, and less than pounds may be required when the cradle is only partially loaded.

To meet these contingencies, an adjustable reduction valve 31 is provided between the source and the check valve 30 and is adjusted to supply pressure from 7 to 40 pounds per square inch to the rod end of the cylinder. With this arrangement, a sufliciently low pressure to permit lowering of only a few pipes, by their own weight, is provided initially. As the piston is moved to extend position by the increasing load, the pressure in the head end gradually increases, for example, up to 200 pounds per square inch. The check valve prevents the relief of pressure in excess of adjusted line pressure back against the source.

On the other hand, if the cables remain in the loaded position for an appreciable period, a gradual leakage of air out of the rod end of the cylinder and past the piston occurs. This can be such that inadequate air, even at the high pressure, remains in the cylinder to return the piston to its starting position. Due to the check valve, however, as soon as the load is removed from the cables and the pressure at the rod end drops below the adjusted line pressure, air is supplied at the pressure set by the reduction valve 31. This pressure is sufl lcient to return the piston 19 to its starting position and also assure that the cylinder is full of air for duplicating the original cycle.

On the other hand, quite often the load is lifted suddenly from the cradle by suitable crane hoists. In such a case, the heavy air pressure in the rod end of the cylinder would cause the piston to snap back to retracted position. Accordingly, the head end of the cylinder 20 is connected by the line 32 to a speed control bleeder valve '33 which regulates the rate at which the air can be vented from the head end of the cylinder. This dampens or cushions the return of the piston toward the head end of the cylinder by the highly compressed air at the rod end of the piston.

For pipes of about 5.9 diameter and a length of 26 feet, the weight of each pile is about five tons. For smaller diameter pipe, of about 2% inches diameter and 26 feet in length, the weight is about seven tons per pile. These are the weights that must be sustained by the cylinder toward the end of each piling operation.

If a hydraulic, instead of a pneumatic piston and cylinder assemblage is used, the assemblage may be arranged as illustrated in FIG. 6. As there shown, the assemblage 35 is generally similar to the assemblage 21 and is connected to a slide 36 corresponding to the slide 16. Hydraulic pressure fluid is supplied to a line 37 from a source such as a motor driven pump 38, to an air dome 39 at the lower portion. A pipe 40 leads from this portion to the rod end of the assemblage 35. A check valve 41 is interposed between the dome and pump and disposed to admit hydraulic fluid from the pump to the dome and prevent its return.

The air capacity of the dome above the hydraulic pressure fluid is adequate so that, by compression and expansion of the air contained therein above the level of the hydraulic fluid, the necessary increase and resistance to paying out of the cable is obtained.

It is apparent therefore with the operation of the device, the pipes can be fed from the transfer mechanism T to the ramp or skid 1 down which the pipes roll to the lower or discharge end 2 onto the cables 10. Since initially the cable is taut and extends straight across from the sheave 12 to the sheave 11, on slightly downward slope away from the skid 2, the first few pipes rolling oif the edges of the ramp roll with almost no drop onto the cable and then roll toward the upright support 4. As more pipes roll off the skid, the load gradually increases.

The resistance afforded by the piston and cylinder assemblage 21 assures that the resistance to lowering increases progressively in proportion to the increased weight of distance moved. As each successive pipe is added, the lowering is interrupted after a small increment of lowering caused by the addition of each pipe. Thus as the cradle lowers, accumulating a load of pipe, the level of the top of the pile is kept close to the edge 2 so that the pipes merely roll across those already on the support instead of dropping any substantial distance thereonto.

After the requisite number of pipes have been cradled into a pile, suitable chain hoists and the like are thrown around the pile of pipes and the piled pipes are lifted by the hoist from the cradle. Thereupon the piston 19 of the piston and cylinder assemblage 21 returns to its starting position and restores the cables 10 to the position in which they are taut across the sheaves 11 and 12, ready for the reception of a succeeding group of pipes.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A piling device for receiving successive elongated members in a direction transversely of their length and temporarily collecting them into a pile in parallel relation to each other, said device comprising a frame, a support mounted on the frame for movement upwardly and down wardly of the frame and positioned to receive the successive members on its upper surface in a direction transversely of their length, movable yieldable resistance means normally holding the support in a raised position by yieldable fluid pressure and yieldably resisting movement thereof to a lowered position, by continuously yieldable fluid pressure continuously applied, means for progressively increasing the compression, and thereby the yieldable resistance, of the continuously applied fiuid pressure as the support means is moved progressively farther downwardly.

2. A piling device according to claim 1 wherein the movable yieldable resistance means comprises a normally sealed expansible and contractible container means which includes an air chamber in which air is entrapped so as to be compressed progressively in proportion to the progressive contraction of the container means, said chamher being arranged so that the air therein continuously urges the container means to expanded condition in all loaded conditions of the support, and said container means being connected to the support so as to be contracted progressively by progressive downward movement of the support in all lowered positions of the support.

3. A device according to claim 2 wherein said container means comprises a pneumatic piston and cylinder assemblage including a piston member and a cylinder member, one of said members is connected in fixed position relative to the frame and the other member being connected to the support for movement in a predetermined direction by the support, as the support moves downwardly, against the resistance of air in the cylinder member at one side of the piston member, and said cylinder being continuously sealed at said one side of the piston against escape of air during lowering of the support, thereby to cause said air to be compressed progressively more and offer increasing resistance to lowering of the support as the support is moved downwardly by a progressive increase in the load thereon.

4. A device according to claim 3 further including conduit means for connecting the cylinder member at said side of the piston member to a source of air under pressure less than said increased pressure of the air in the cylinder member, and check valve means in the conduit means and arranged to open to admit air from said source to the cylinder member and to close to check return of air from the cylinder member.

5. A device according to claim 4 and including additionally means to dampen the movement of said other member in the return direction for raising the support when the load is removed from the support.

6. A piling device for piling elongated members and comprising a ramp having an upper guide surface along which the elongated members can move transversely of their length to a discharge end thereof at a predetermined raised level, a support with an upwardly exposed supporting surface positioned to receive the members as they are discharged from said edge at said level, means supporting the support for movement upwardly and downwardly in a predetermined path wherein, in one position, the supporting surface is adjacent to the level, means normally yieldably holding the supporting surface by fluid pressure at said level and continuously yieldably resisting movement of the support downwardly by the weight of the progressively increased load of members accumu lated on the support solely by the yieldable fluid pressure, and means operative to progressively increase the yieldable resistance in relation to the increase in load as the support is lowered so that the level of the top of the load is kept close to the level of said edge.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 656,841 Huber Aug. 28, 1900 2,113,926 Pierce Apr. 12, 1938 2,362,853 Spiller Nov. 14, 1944 2,905,340 Clark Sept. 22, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 684,851 Germany Dec. 6, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE vCERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No, 3,055,515 September 25 1952 Earle C, Herbkersman It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 3, line 65 for "head" read rod ooluxnn l line 1, for "permit" read prevent column 6 line 28 for "end" read edge Signed and sealed this 26th day of February 1963.

(SEAL) Attest:

G. JOHNSON DAVID L. LADD Attesting Officer I Commissioner of Patents 

